Dangerous Dishes

Melamine dishware is popular because it is affordable and shatter resistant, making it specifically attractive for serving children.   The melamine compound, which is partly composed of formaldehyde, is posited to pose health risks such as bladder and kidney problems.  Chia-Fang Wu, from Kaohsiung Medical University (Taiwan), and colleagues found that six men and six women, ages 20 to 27 years, who consumed hot noodle soup served in melamine bowls, showed significantly more melamine excreted in their urine, as compared to when they ate the food from ceramic bowls.  Total 12-hour melamine excretion was 8.35 mcg) after eating from the melamine bowls, compared with 1.31 mcg when ceramic bowls were used, the researchers noting that the difference, 7.04 mcg was statistically significant. The study authors warn that: “Melamine tableware may release large amounts of melamine when used to serve high-temperature foods.”